'Babyteeth, Vol. 1: Born' by Donny Cates with art by Garry Brown is a graphic novel about an unusual teenage pregnancy. Very unusual.

Sadie Ritter is pregnant with the antichrist. She narrates the story from sometime in the future, and refers to killers and a demonic raccoon, but those details aren't as weird as giving birth to the child who will end the world. The child develops weird feeding habits which could threaten Sadie's life. Fortunately, Sadie has the support of her oddly dysfunctional family to help her through things.

It's a strange subject for a story, and it's been done before, but maybe not as sensationally. The art is interesting, but a bit unfinished looking for my tastes. I will read the second volume to see where the story goes from here.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Aftershock Comics, Diamond Book Distributors, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.

Going into it, I had NO idea what to expect, but the premise was intriguing and I was willing to take a chance on the art. I'm glad I did; I actually ended up really liking the way the narrative is told, and the artwork isn't too dingy, but it isn't all glossy and polished either, which totally wouldn't work for this title. It's just right. Hopefully I'll remember to check out vol 2!.

I liked this book despite the fact that not a whole lot happens. It's not dragged out or stagnant, but it spends a lot of space setting the foundation. Sadie is a 16 year old girl that gets pregnant with what may or may not be the antichrist. There is certainly some weird stuff that goes along with the pregnancy/birth. And part of the story is just her trying to deal with having a baby, no matter how strange it is.

There are some cool elements of this book. The first thing that comes to mind is when Sadie goes into labor. Up until that point the book could have been just about a normal teenage girl that gets pregnant. Near the end it really starts to pick up and show that there is a plan for the story as a whole. I'm not quite sure where it's going at this point, but I want to find out.

I did enjoy the way the book is told. It uses a frame narrative in which Sadie is telling the story to her child. This allows her to give hints about what is going to come in a more natural way; sometimes things just slip.

The character art seemed kind of rough. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it also isn't something I look for in comics. The backgrounds and set pieces are usually done really well. Part of this might be the coloring. Babyteeth is creepy and awesome.

As weird as it sounds, I want to be a part of this family that is raising the antichrist! Great illustrations, storyline and dialogue. I cannot wait for the next in the series - this volume ends on quite a cliffhanger.

One night in Salt Lake City, a sixteen year old girl gives birth to the Antichrist. Trying to learn how to raise your baby as a teen is hard enough, but when he can only be sustained off your blood things get much more difficult. Throw in an ancient organization sending assassins to kill your baby and it becomes almost impossible. Lucky for Sadie and her baby she's got a badass big sister and an ex-marine for a father.

The family dynamic and love between the family members is what makes this book. You'll be surprised how quickly you're rooting for the Antichrist to survive. I also loved Sophie's narration of the book. She's recording what has happened in case she doesn't make it to tell her son herself. Highly recommended.

Pretty cool storyline as I think most children are hellspawn. Most of the interior artwork is serviceable, nothing really stood out. But, there are some great alternative cover renditions in the gallery at the end. No idea why a story about a demon child feels the need to bleep out bad words.

*Digital review copy provided by NetGalley and the publisher.

Sadie Ritter had a baby when she was 16. Her baby was born in 2017. Her contractions coincided with earthquakes. Or maybe they caused earthquakes. Or maybe that’s what she imagined. She thinks she died when she went into labor, but maybe she imagined that too, since she’s not dead. But the baby, well, she’s pretty sure the baby is the anti-Christ, because that’s what she’s been told by an expert. To me, the baby looks like Alfred Hitchcock. But the baby also has sharp retractable teeth and needs to drink blood, so it’s not your normal baby, if such a thing exists.

Some of the story portrays the difficulty that a 16-year-old girl in Salt Lake City has when she’s suddenly coping with being a parent. But the larger story involves the Silhouette, one of those world-ruling conspiratorial groups that are ubiquitous in comics and thrillers. They’re interested in the baby (his name is Clark, yes named after that Clark) because of the whole earthquake thing, so they send one of their ace assassins to kill him. The assassin lives with her ace assassin father in a trailer in the desert, which is one clue to the fact that they aren’t your ordinary assassins. Fortunately, Sadie’s older sister Heather, while not an assassin, is a bit of a psycho and is willing to take on anyone.

The story also involves a demon racoon and a warlock, but the baby and mommy are really center stage. The baby’s daddy is … well, whatever he might have been would be difficult to prove at this point.

Babyteeth features strong characters and some good writing, most of which relates to the relationship between Sadie, her sister, and her father. It’s surprisingly enjoyable, and it left me looking forward to seeing where the story goes. The art suits the story nicely.

This book is not for the faint of heart but it is pretty funny. By just the description, you could guess at the content within. Yes, there's violence and gore, yes there's cursing. Expect it and, if you're still interested, read it. I may have found it even more humorous due to the setting and the fact that I live an hour or so away, but that's me. Either way, I really liked it and look forward to reading more in the series.

I would like to thank the publisher, author, and Netgalley for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

I dug this a lot more than I expected. It's a surprisingly fresh take on the whole antichrist story we've seen time and time again in things like The Omen. The art is the proper level of creepy. All and all quite compelling. I'll definitely be picking up volume 2!

This terrified me!! If that was the point then great job. This kind of feels like rosemary's baby but scarier!

‘The world trembled as the boy approached. And when he arrived, it cowered like a beaten dog.’

A horror graphic novel about a 16 year old girl who unknowingly gives birth to the Antichrist.

The story bounces back and forth between the first few months of the baby being born and what appears to be a post apocalyptic time.

The artwork and storytelling are great. It has left me intrigued for more.

A gritty graphic novel with a great storyline. Highley recommend for horror fans.

This is a decent modern retelling of The Omen - a teenaged girl gets pregnant with the Antichrist, and once a load of earthquakes and hellfire come to the world when she is dropping him, two contrasting armies of shadowy warriors are after getting their way. It's rather scrappy, all told - both the artwork and the way the narrative is jagged and higgledy-piggledy to portray the thoughts of the boy's mother one year on from the birth. It's not as highbrow as Rosemary's Baby, but if you think those two cinematic references could bear with a grungy feel and the addition of a sister with almost superhuman powers, then go for this - it's actually quite good fun.

Very cool comic. I dig the concepts and the art is very interesting. Will definitely be keeping an eye out for other issues.

A completely normal 16 year old girl gives birth to the anti-christ. This has got to be good, right? It was good, but I wish there had been a little bit more to the first part of the story. With all the action that was going on I felt like it wasn't as much as there should be for the anti-christ being born and about to destroy the world. My favorite character was the sister, she was a drug addict, yes, but she got shit done and was VERY intimidating but so sweet when it came to her nephew. As for continuing the series, I think I would like to pick up the next volume and see where everything goes but if the action still doesn't seem up to par for me then I would continue after that.

16-year old girl gives birth to a blood-drinking, earthquake causing baby, who may or may not be the Antichrist. Though he probably is.
Maybe.

Because Mary wasn't the only one to get saddled with a supernatural teen pregnancy. Our protagonist is blessed with a family who are supportive to the point of being actively dangerous, but set against that is the small problem of having birthed a blood-drinking Antichrist. And yes, 'an' rather than 'the', as per one especially funny scene here. Donny Cates has been one of my favourite discoveries this year, but a lot of that has been his knack for bringing the best out of artists, and I'm not similarly convinced by Brown's work here - though I do love the demon raccoon. However, there are still lovely touches, not least the narrator who's less unreliable in any deliberate way than simply under-informed and unpractised.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. What can I say. I LOVED IT! The artwork was amazing (loved the extras at the end of the book). The story line is gripping and pulls you in right from the start. Teen girl, hidden pregnancy, absent baby daddy, sister that is a good person who does bad things type of girl. Throw in a vampiric baby, assassins and two cults with opposing opinions about what to do with the vampiric baby and you have a page turner. Only disappointing thing about this graphic novel was that I wanted more to read. I devoured it in about 20-30 minutes. So can't wait to read the next one!

Billed as a Juno-meets-The Omen kind of story, Babyteeth is a retrospective story narrated by Sadie, a teen mom who discovers she got more than she bargained for. Part humor, part horror, it starts with how the birth of her son literally causes an earthquake. Then comes the part where she has her family's support to survive what's coming ahead.

Sadie is a little scared at first, as expected of any teen mom. Her ex-marine dad and her delinquent older sister are badasses and she is afraid to tell him she was pregnant and her (sister) who the father of the child is. (Nah, it was another plain ole human teen) In any case, she gets through the delivery (during which she dies for a second there) and gets home, but she is still unsure of how to be a mother at her age. Her vulnerability shines through at moments like when she is not able to hush the child but her dad helps out. But even before she can get over the fact that now she is responsible for a human(-ish) life, she discovers, to her horror, that her kid likes blood - specifically only hers (at the moment). The author brings out the utter disbelief in her sister and father and the total bonkers-ness (that is a word, right?) of the situation. Conceptually, it is carried out very well. Following this, there is an assassin out for her kid (and of course that assassin belongs to some weird cult) and another weird dude who saves her sister and comes to help out with protection.

The artwork of the book is very atmospheric - a lot of dark scenes, overwhelming red in color scheme and creepy kid smiles perfected. The alternate covers are also excellent conceptual models. This is a graphic novel you definitely want to sink your creepy teeth into. ;)

Epic new comic that reads like a classic horror story.

Sadie is 16 and giving birth during a series of earthquakes in Salt Lake City Utah. The earthquakes stop immediately after her son Clark is born. At the same time, a mysterious group called The Silhouette is attempting to kill Clark believing that he is the Anti-Christ. To reveal any more of the plot would ruin the surprising twists to come.

Babyteeth is the best horror comic I've read this year. I got goosebumps as good or better than when I read the first volume of The Walking Dead or Preacher. It reminds me of the end of the first Terminator movie where the mother is driving to Mexico with the ominous clouds in the rear view mirror. I can't wait to read future volumes as we delve further into Sadie's and Clark's story. The characters are what make this story feel so genuine like it could be happening around the corner. It is highly recommended to anyone who enjoyed The Omen, The Terminator, The Walking Dead, Preacher or almost anything by Stephen King along with anyone who just enjoys a good tale. 5 stars!

Thanks to the publisher, Aftershock Comics, and NetGalley for an advanced review copy.